Once upon a time, in a lush green forest, there stood a tall, magnificent tree with wide branches and bright green leaves. This tree was known as the Giving Tree because it loved to help others and give whatever it could. The Giving Tree had a special friend, a little boy named Tom.
Tom loved to visit the Giving Tree every day. He would climb her branches, eat her apples, and rest in her cool shade. The Giving Tree was always happy to see Tom and would wave her branches excitedly whenever he came.
One sunny day, Tom came to the tree looking a bit sad. “What’s wrong, Tom?” the Giving Tree asked, her leaves rustling softly.
“I want to buy a toy, but I don’t have any money,” Tom replied, looking down at the ground.
The Giving Tree thought for a moment and then said, “Take my apples, Tom. You can sell them in the market and use the money to buy your toy.”
Tom’s eyes lit up with joy. He gathered as many apples as he could carry and rushed off to the market. The Giving Tree felt very happy knowing she could help her friend.
As the years passed, Tom grew older. He visited the Giving Tree less often, but the tree always welcomed him with open branches whenever he did come. One day, a grown-up Tom came to the tree, looking worried.
“I need a house to live in, but I don’t have any wood,” Tom said, frowning.
The Giving Tree wanted to help. “Take my branches, Tom. You can use them to build a house,” she offered.
Tom smiled and thanked the tree. He cut off the branches and carried them away to build his house. The Giving Tree was happy to help, but she missed her branches and felt a bit lonely.
Years went by, and Tom grew even older. One day, he returned to the tree, looking tired and sad.
“I want to sail far away, but I don’t have a boat,” Tom sighed.
The Giving Tree wanted to help her friend once more. “Cut down my trunk, Tom. You can use it to build a boat,” she said, wanting to make Tom happy.
Tom hugged the tree and did as she offered. He built a boat and sailed away, leaving the Giving Tree as just a stump. Even though she was just a stump, the Giving Tree felt happy knowing she had helped her friend.
Many more years passed, and Tom, now an old man, returned to the Giving Tree once again. He sat down on the stump, looking weary.
“I don’t need much now. Just a place to rest,” Tom said softly.
The Giving Tree, though just a stump, felt joy in her heart. “Come, Tom, sit and rest on me,” she said gently.
Tom sat down on the stump, feeling the love and warmth of his old friend. The Giving Tree was happy once more, simply by being there for her friend.
And so, the Giving Tree and Tom spent their time together, finding happiness in their friendship. The Giving Tree had given all she could, and in return, she received the greatest gift of all – the love and companionship of her dear friend, Tom.
The end.
Follow-Up Questions:
What did Tom use the tree’s apples for?
How did the Giving Tree help Tom build a house?
Why was the Giving Tree happy even when she was just a stump?